NEWS
ACRES PRESS RELEASE
____________________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE
22 June 2005
PIONEERING ANIMAL WELFARE CONFERENCE IN SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE 22 June - Today marked the opening of the animal welfare conference ‘Asia for Animals’. This marks the first time an international animal welfare conference is being held in Singapore.
The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), a Singaporean-founded charitable organisation, is hosting this event, with over 200 delegates from 19 countries including government representatives from 12 Asian countries.
The conference is sponsored by Animals Asia Foundation, Animal People, Best Friends Animal Society, Extra Trading/Brightlife Australia, Humane Society International, In Defense of Animals, North Shore Animal League International, SPCA Hong Kong and SPCA Singapore. It is supported by the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau.
The importance of the animal welfare movement has become ever more significant in today’s world in which the exploitation of animals has become a global industry. Over the past few years, there have been many important developments in the field of animal welfare in Asia. The emphasis for the conference is upon consolidating experiences in the field of animal protection, with an eye to developing new strategies and facilitating change.
The conference was officially opened by Dr. Geh Min, Nominated Member of Parliament. “I congratulate Acres and all involved in this timely and important conference. In working to better the welfare of animals we are working for a better world for all.” said Dr. Geh Min.
Ms. Jill Robinson MBE, CEO of Animals Asia Foundation, who delivered the keynote speech said “As a result of this and the previous two Asia for Animals Conferences, I believe that there has never been more information and help available to the animals of Asia than there is today. After sharing experiences, successes, problems ....and failures, groups and individuals are able to make more strategic decisions and thus profound differences to the plight of wild, domestic and endangered species, whilst remaining in close contact in the future with the people who are now known and trusted to do the very best for the animals we all represent.”.
Over the next two days, representatives and experts from across the region will be debating the following topics:
Disaster Relief & Recovery; ZooCheck Work in Asia; Stray Animal Management; Rescue Centre Operations; Farm Animal Welfare; The Role of Government Agencies in Animal Protection; Tackling the Wildlife Trade; Media & Communication Strategies for NGOs.
“We are confident that this conference will provide a unique learning opportunity for all involved in animal protection and we are certain that the animal protection movement in Asia will be strengthened following this conference,” said Mr. Louis Ng, President and Executive Director of Acres.
Contact:
Louis Ng
Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres)
Email: louis@acres.org.sg
Office: (65) 6296 7758
Handphone: (65) 9796 8592
- Ends -
Notes to editors
- Government representatives from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mongolia, Thailand, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, China and The Philippines will be attending the conference.
- More details about the conference can be found at: http://www.acres.org.sg/asiaforanimals/
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